JASDF Primary Air Unit Order of Battle

(As at April 1, 2025)

A trio of 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) aircraft from what is now the
F-2A stronghold at Tsuiki AB. (Photo: JASDF)

A 301st TFS F-35A at Misawa during the first month of the reformed unit’s operations on its new
mount. The uniformly cloudy sky and light reflecting from a snow-covered airfield lend the 
image something of a CG feel. (Photo [Jan. 15, 2021]: たてぞー via Twitter @tate_zou)

A fine study of a 203rd TFS pilot working to bring his F-15J round in the circuit for a landing at
Chitose, where the unit has been in residence since the Starfighter era in 1964. (Photo: JASDF)

A Kawasaki T-4 from the Central Air Command Support Squadron makes a low pass in
“dirty” configuration over its Iruma home base.

In December 2022, a Chitose-based T-4 was given a new tail marking to show that it
was now assigned to the 2nd Air Wing at Chitose.
(Photo [posted Dec. 1, 2022]: JASDF Chitose AB via Twitter @jasdf_chitose)

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unless otherwise stated. The Terms & Conditions can be found here.) 

AIR DEFENSE COMMAND (HQ: Yokota, Tokyo)

(*) 2nd AW provides alert cover detachment to Misawa
(**) Both constituent squadrons relocated from the 7th AW at Hyakuri (see below).
       The 302nd reformed on the F-35A on Mar. 26, 2019, the 301st on Dec. 15, 2020.

An F-15J from the 2nd Air Wing’s 203rd TFS (nearest camera, panda tail marking) formates with an
aircraft from its sister unit at Chitose, the 201st TFS (bear’s head unit marking). (Photo: JASDF)

The white armament panel on the side of the engine intake of this 3rd TFS F-2A will show that it is
toting short-range AAM-3 and medium-range AIM-7M Sparrow missiles on its outer and inner
stations, respectively, and a centreline 300-gallon drop tank. As the aircraft is also sporting
a JASDF 60th anniversary badge on its air intake, this photo was taken in 2014.
(Photo: JASDF)

The Northern Air Command Support Flight flies the Kawasaki T-4. The unit has retained the
tail marking, depicting Aomori Prefecture’s Shimokita Peninsula above a stylized ‘3’
(for 3rd Air Wing), formerly worn by 8th Sqn F-86Fs. (Photo: JASDF) 

The first Mitsubishi-built F-35A, which first flew on June 13, 2017, was lost in a crash on April 9,
2019, soon after the Provisional F-35A Squadron was re-designated the 302nd Sqn.
(Photo: JASDF)

A Mitsubishi-built F-15J Eagle from the Komatsu-based 303rd TFS hurtles skyward.
The F-15J equips seven front-line JASDF fighter units. 

Bathed in autumn sunshine, a 306th TFS F-15DJ arrives back at its Komatsu base at the end of a
training mission in October 2014. (Photo: Andy Binks)

The Headquarters Support Flight that reported directly to Air Defense Command was renamed and
placed under local regional control in 2014. (Above) A U-4  and T-4 from what is now the Central
Air Command Support Squadron fly close to a well-known Japanese landmark. (Photo: JASDF)
(Below) Another of the unit’s pristine T-4s at rest in an equally well-maintained hangar.

A T-4 belonging to the Kasuga-based Western Air Command Support Squadron climbs out from
Tsuiki, October 2014. (Photo: Andy Binks)

(Above) Air brake extended, a then Hyakuri-based 305th TFS F-15J wheelies down the runway at
Yokota AFB in August 2012. (Photo: ‘Ken H’ via Wikimedia Commons)
(Below) A 305th T-4 pilot follows suit at Hyakuri AB. Each front-line F-15J unit also has F-15DJs
and T-4s on strength for training purposes. (Photo [Oct. 2014]: Andy Binks)

Carrying an underwing GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a 6th TFS F-2A moves
along the taxiway at Tsuiki, where the unit has been based since the F-86F days of 1964.
(Photo: Andy Binks)

This F-2A bears the black panther tail marking of 8th TFS, which became the last to convert to the
type in 2009, and a badge on its engine intake to mark the JASDF’s 60th anniversary in 2014, two
years before the unit’s move from Misawa to Tsuiki. This aircraft carries wingtip AAM-3s and four
underwing ASM-2 anti-ship missiles. (Photo: JASDF)

A move to Naha in January 2016 brought the 304th’s long association with Tsuiki and the 6th TFS
to an end after 38 years. Released in mid-April 2018, the 2017 figures for scrambles triggered
primarily by incursions of Chinese aircraft into Japanese airspace showed a year-on-year
decrease in total from 1,168 to 904. The Southwestern ADF still accounted for the
majority (477), justifying the 304th’s move. (Photo: JASDF)

A 204th Squadron F-15J on approach to its home base (Photo [Nov. 2014]: Tom Meikle)

A T-4 assigned to the Southwestern Support Flight of the then Southwestern Composite Air Division
(since July 2017, the Southwestern Air Defense Force) on short finals at Naha.
(Photo [Oct. 2014]: Andy Binks)

UNITS REPORTING DIRECT TO AIR DEFENSE COMMAND

 (Notes) 
 Tactical Reconnaissance Group ceased Phantom operations March 26, 2020
 Air Tactics Development Wing formed August 2014
 Air Rescue Wing passed from Air Support Command to Air Defense Command control March 26, 2013.

The 601st Sqn having commenced the sending of training detachments from Misawa to Naha in
2012, the 603rd Sqn was established to provide a permanent AEW presence in Okinawa in
April 2014, six months before this photo was taken. (Photo: Andy Binks)

A 601st Sqn E-2C close to an evening touchdown at Misawa. On December 8, 2017, the unit’s first
aircraft to be retrofitted with eight-bladed props, to provide commonality with the E-2D Advanced
Hawkeyes that began to arrive in 2019, was flight tested for the first time. Amateur YouTube 
footage (link) recorded the event and, three days later, the second takeoff. (Photo: JASDF) 

A 602nd Sqn E-767 photographed in a picturesque setting at what appears to be Elmendorf AFB
in Alaska during one of the unit’s frequent deployments to the United States for
Cope Thunder joint exercises. (Photo: JASDF)  

A Tactical Fighter Training Group F-15DJ Eagle shows off its upper surface ‘plumage’ at Hyakuri in
late February 2014. That was around two months before the colour scheme, which had first been
applied in July 2012, was removed and the aircraft transferred to another unit after overhaul.
Back with the ‘Aggressor Squadron’ in May 2018, the aircraft looked like this (link).
(Photo: ‘Cp9asngf’ via Wikimedia Commons)

Another Aggressor Squadron F-15DJ takes off from Nyutabaru in October 2014. This particular
aircraft has sported the same colour scheme since around 2003 and was present at the unit’s
current Komatsu base in May 2018. (Photo: Andy Binks)

(Above) The JASDF uses the YS-11EB variant on electronic intelligence-gathering duties.
(Photo [2017]: Andy Binks)
(Below) Parked at Iruma next to the EC-1 and a well-hidden YS-11EB, one of a pair of YS-11EA
electronic countermeasures training aircraft provides a good camparison with the above
photo. All three YS-11s here were converted from standard transports to perform specific
electronic-related tasks. Confimation of EA retirement was awaited in March 2025.

(Above and below) The JASDF’s fleet of 31 Kawasaki-built CH-47J Chinook heavy-lift helicopters
is spread around the four bases at which a Helicopter Airlift Squadron is located.

Mainstay helicopter in service with the Air Rescue Wing detachments is the UH-60J (above), which
is operated in conjunction with the Raytheon (Hawker) U-125A (below).

AIR SUPPORT COMMAND (HQ: Fuchu, Tokyo)

The pair of Boeing 777-300s used by the 701st Squadron to transport imperial and prime ministerial
entourages on visits throughout the world. Having been formally commissioned in June 1993,
the unit commemorated its 25th anniversary in 2018.(Photos: JASDF)

(Above) One of the three 401st Airlift Sqn C-130Hs that participated in the 2013 SDF Review
flypast. Some of the unit’s aircraft, like this one (below) kicking up tyre smoke on landing,
retain the camouflage scheme used for operations in more temperate climes.
(Photo: JASDF)

A beautifully lit shot of a 403rd Airlift Sqn C-2 landing at Miho AB, which celebrated its
60th anniversary in 2018. Having received its first C-2s in March 2017, the 403rd also 
held a ceremony to mark its 40th anniversary on March 31, 2018. (Photo: JASDF)

The JASDF received the first two of four Boeing KC-767 tanker-transports in 2008.
All are based at Komaki AB with the 404th Airlift Sqn. 

The operations that involve the 2nd TAG’s U-4 multipurpose support aircraft include the short-range
airlift of members of the imperial family, or the prime minister, on visits to other Asian countries. 

The Raytheon (Beechcraft) T-400 has been used in the multi-engine training role by the
41st Flying Training Squadron since February 1994. (Above photo: JASDF)

Seen departing from Tsuiki AB is one of three U-125s specifically acquired ready-configured for the
flight check role. Tragedy struck on April 6, 2016, when this very aircraft was involved in a fatal 
accident, confirmed to have been a controlled flight into terrain incident, near JMSDF Kanoya.

One of the three U-680As to be operated by the Flight Check Group seen on arrival at
its Iruma base in March 2020. (Photo: JASDF/Iruma AB via Twitter)

AIR TRAINING COMMAND (HQ: Hamamatsu, Shizuoka)

Three of the JASDF’s six-aircraft Blue Impulse aerobatic display team go through their routine at the
2013 Iruma air show. There were media reports that the team had been hoping to revert to coloured
smoke to mark its 20th anniversary season in 2016, but the plans came to nothing. 

An F-15J and F-15DJ of the 23rd Fighter Training Squadron get airborne from Nyutabaru.
(Photo [Nov. 2017]: Andy Binks)

Originally delivered to the JASDF in 2002, this F-2B was one of the 13 refurbished after suffering
damage in the tsunami that struck Matsushima AB in March 2011. This was the third aircraft 
returned to service with the 21st Fighter Training Squadron, in 2015.
(Photo [Nov. 2010]: Jerry Gunner via Wikimedia Commons)

A 1st Air Wing T-4 displaying the standard 31st Sqn tail marking of a yellow and black chequered
tail marking with blue edging beneath; 32nd Sqn aircraft have red edging.
(Photo [Nov. 2017]: Andy Binks) 

(Photo: JASDF Ashiya)

(Above) A formation from the 11th Flying Training Wing (FTW) poses for the camera over
the Pacific Ocean. (Photo: JASDF)
(Below) Three 11th FTW T-7s receive attention in the allotment-like rural setting that is the
flight line at Shizuhama. At one stage, the three short red stripes at the top of the tailfin denoted
those aircraft assigned to the 11th FTW’s 1st Maintenance Team, the blue stripes the 2nd, but a
line maintenance system has since been adopted, rendering these markings superfluous.

After its customary assignment to what is now the Air Development and Test Wing at Gifu, the first
T-7, which had first flown as the T-3Kai in July 2002, was assigned to the 12th FTW. Although the
unit’s Fuji T-3s used to have colour-coded propeller spinners, its T-7s are devoid of markings
designed to differentiate the maintenance team to which an aircraft is assigned.
(Photo: JASDF)

Seen on the day of its Hamamatsu base airshow in October 2019, the F-15J at that time
assigned to the 1st Technical School. (Photo: Arjun Sarup)   

AIR DEVELOPMENT AND TEST COMMAND (HQ: Fuchu, Tokyo)

First flown as the prototype XF-2B 63-0003 on April 17, 1996, the now F-2B ‘101’ comes in for a
sedate landing at Gifu in November 2017. (Photo: Andy Binks)

(Above) A view of the undersides of the C-1FTB, taken at Gifu in October 2016. (Below) First flown
as the XC-1 on November 12, 1970, the C-1FTB guested at the Miho airshow on May 27, 2018.
Along with the remainder of the C-1 fleet, this aircraft was retired in March 2025.
(Photos: Hunini via Wikimedia Commons)

In keeping with its test role, this 1988-vintage T-4, the sixth built, is equipped with a non-standard,
elongated nose probe. (Photo [Oct. 2016]: Hunini via Wikimedia Commons)

(Photo [October 2016]: Hunini via Wikimedia Commons)

JASDF AIRCRAFT IN-SERVICE DATES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

Aircraft Type / In Service / No. (dels. ongoing) / Notes

* ff (T-1B) May 17, 1960
** YS-11EA (2) in non-flying storage/ YS-11EB (3) still in service early 2024

After 27 years’ service, the two B747-400s operated by the 701st Sqn officially made way for newer
equipment in the form of two B777-300s at a ceremony held at Chitose AB on March 24, 2019.
(Photo: JASDF Chitose [See Bulletinn Board entry for August 2019]) 

Airborne from Hyakuri, an impressive nine-aircraft formation of Phantoms overflies the beach at
Ajigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture, around 25 miles (40 km) from base. The formation comprised 
three aircraft from each of the three final Phantom units, all of which
have now passed into history. (Photo: JASDF) 

Following final assembly, the first KC-46A Pegasus destined for the JASDF was rolled out at the
manufacturer’s Everett factory on September 20, 2020.
(Photo: The Boeing Company via Twitter @BoeingDefense)

In addition to the aircraft used for bread-and-butter transport and “milk run” base resupply
operations, three YS-11FCs were used in the checking and calibration of navigational aids.
The last was withdrawn from service in 2022. (Photo: Japan Ministry of Defense/JASDF)

This well-lit photo serves to show the changes in the 21st Kawasaki C-1’s external appearance for
its role as the Electronic Warfare Squadron’s sole EC-1. The salient feature was its bulbous nose
radome that housed J/ALQ-5 jamming equipment. (Photo [Oct. 2014]: Andy Binks)

(All photographs on this website are copyright J-HangarSpace
unless otherwise stated. The Terms & Conditions can be found here.)